Thirukitheshwaram Kovil - Mannar

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Hindus believe in 5 sacred Hindu Temples dedicated to God Shiva in the Sri Lanka. One of these 5 is Thirukitheshwaram Temple situated on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka close to the ancient port city of Manthai / Mathota. Manthai/ Mannar was an imopirtant port in international Commerce in ancient world. Many ancient texts writeen in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods continuously mentions of Mathota as an important port city. Thirukitheswaram was associated with this ancient city.

Temple is believed to be build in 600 BC and was completely destroyed by the portuguese in 1589 until being rebuild in 20th century by the requests of Arumuga Navalar. Historians have unearthed important structures like Ancient Siva Lingam and many other important artifacts from the premises. Lake situated next to the Temple is considered to be very sacred.

Civil war in the area had been a huge hinderance for the upkeep of the temple. However after the end of Civil war in 2009 the temple has been returning to its historic grandeur.

Mannar area being a important region in agriculure the area around the Temple offers scenuc vuews open fields.

How to Reach

Temple can be easily reached from mannar by using the Thirukitheswaram access road from A32 highway (Mannar - Navatkuli highway )

















Location: Unnamed Road, Thiruketheeswaram, Sri Lanka

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